Where to Stay in Siena | 5 best areas and hotels

In true honesty, this is not a big city but still deciding where to stay in Siena is not that simple because it really depends on the length of your visit, the budget and how romantic or practical you want your holiday to be.

My favourite neighbourhood for a short stay still is the Historic Centre but it has its drawbacks. San Prospero is an interesting alternative, especially if you are looking for a more local vibe.

I experienced this city for the first time over 20 years ago. I eventually bought a small property close to Siena and visited regularly.

In this guide, I have compared the 5 best areas, with all the pros and cons, first on a quick-to-read table and then with a more detailed description, including my favourite restaurants, cafes and hotels to stay in Siena.

Where to stay in Siena – Key points

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Area	Best for	Pros	Cons	Budget	Accessibility	Attractions	Restaurants	Families	Nightlife	Character
Historic Centre	First-time visitors	Iconic sights, vibrant atmosphere	Limited parking, crowded, expensive	High	Very good	Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral,	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Rich history, charming streets
San Prospero	Families and a quiet time	Quiet, green spaces, parking options	Fewer attractions, limited nightlife	Moderate	Moderate (better if driving)	Fortezza Medicea	Moderate	Great	Low	Local, relaxed vibe
Train Station Area	Budget	Affordable, transport connections	Less charming, busier streets	Low	Excellent	Shopping, city exploration	Good	Moderate	Low	Practical, busy
Agriturismo	Stay between wineries	Unique experience, serene, landscapes	Requires car, no nightlife	Variable	Poor (car only)	Countryside walks, local farm tours	Local farm-to-table dining	Great	Low	Rural, authentic
Monteriggione	Romantic couples	Stunning castle, medieval atmosphere	No nightlife, fewer dining options	High – Moderate	Poor (car only and limited bus transportation)	Monteriggione Castle	Good	Good	Low	Medieval, romantic

As a possible option, I have also included a hidden gem missed by the most, Monteriggione, close to Siena and one of the most romantic places to stay in Tuscany.

My Tip: even if it is not going to be your choice, make a point to add Monteriggione to your itinerary of Tuscany. You can visit it also by bus from Siena (#130 or #136), however, you would have to cover the last part of the trip from the bus stop to the village by foot (around 15 minutes).

My 3 best hotels in Siena

Historic Centre

Are you visiting Siena for the first time and you want to be in the middle of the action, next to the major attractions of the city? If yes is your answer then you should book your hotel in the Historcal Centre, a medieval maze of Reneissance and Gothic styles.

As soon as you start wandering the winding alleyways and tucked-away piazzas, you’ll be hit with that unmistakable Tuscan vibe. I am actually surprised by how much Siena has retained its local character, considering how popular is this destination and the number of travellers that visit this lovely city.

My Tip: Siena si best experienced early in the morning and late in the evening when most of the day trippers have left the city. That’s why I always suggest spending at least a night in Siena.

And then bam, you’ll suddenly find yourself in front of the most iconic of all Sienese masterpieces, the unique Duomo Cathedral. I still remember myself the first time in front of the Renaissance facades with never-ending ornate stoneworks. Don’t miss checking out the attached Museo dell’Opera for a better understanding of the Sienese cultural heritage.

Piazza del Campo is probably my favourite medieval square in Tuscany but I still miss an important event here, the Palio di Siena. This is one of the oldest horse races in the world that runs all around the square, an event that was captured also in a 007 movie.

The only issue with this race is finding accommodation on those weekends (the first week of July and the 16th of August). You need to book years in advance.

Even if the Historic Centre is today pretty touristic, you can still find amazing restaurants with authentic Sienese cuisine. I’m talking about places like the family-run Osteria Le Logge or the Trattoria La Porticina. Just be sure to leave room for a quick espresso and sweet treat from the iconic Nannini bakery!

Staying in the centre has however a few drawbacks. Firstly, as you can expect, it can be really busy with travellers, I may add crowded on the weekends between May and September. This is also the most expensive area to stay in Siena, you pay a bit of a premium to wake up next to Piazza del Campo.

Are you planning to rent a car in Tuscany to experience both the cities and the outstanding countryside? Well, this is the best way to explore Tuscany but parking in the Historical Centre of Siena is really challenging.

My tip: There are parking areas steps away from Piazza del Campo but they tend to get full early in the day during the peak season. I have organised a guide with a map of other parking options in Siena

San Prospero

If the Historic Centre is a bit too much, too busy, too touristy then you should check out San Prospero, enough away from the bustling centre but still close enough to enjoy the city’s iconic sights.

San Prospero has more of a local vibe, this is where most of the Sienesi actually live with green spaces like the Amphitheatre and La Lizza Park which are great places to spend some time with your little ones.

And in this respect, I believe San Prospero is one of the best places to stay in Siena for families. Just keep in mind you need a 10 to 15-minute walk to Piazza del Campo.

I see also San Prospero as a better fit for a long stay in Siena when you don’t want necessarily to be in the heart of the city and you prefer a quieter local environment with more of a community feel.

The neighbourhood also offers unique attractions such as the San Prospero Church, a tranquil place of worship away from the touristy crowd, and the Fortezza Medicea, a brick fort dating back to 1563

And although it offers fewer dining options, the ones available do not disappoint.

My Tip: check out for breakfast or a snack the Pasticceria Corsini (great coffee too). I suggest also the Osteria Enoteca Sotto Le Fonti where you can experience the real local cuisine in a classic Tuscan environment. Head to La Bella ‘Mbriana for Neapolitan-style pizza

San Prospero is also a better option if you are driving around Tuscany. Parking is not too bad and there are a few free options too.

So what are the drawbacks of this area? There is essentially no late bar or restaurant activity in San Prospero. It’s all very quiet. Moreover, you will have a bit of a walk to go back and forth from the historic centre and for a 1-2 night stay it is probably not worth it.

Close to the Train Station

The area around the train station is the best place to stay in Siena on a budget. The location is very practical of course, but surely not as charming as the previous two areas.

The distance to Piazza del Campo is not as bad, actually, because a good part of the way, from the Station to Porta Camollia (the grand gate to the Historic Centre), is covered by underground escalators.

From Porta Camollia you can easily reach Piazza del Sale, a relaxed small square where you will find mostly locals. Keep walking for around 10-15 minutes and you will be at the Duomo di Siena and Piazza del Campo

In terms of dining, the area does not disappoint. There’s a variety of eateries, from traditional Tuscan restaurants like La Piccola Osteria to delis like 53100 Street, and for a good value pizza, Gabellieri is a must-visit.

Finally, check out the Gelateria Il Bacio, very popular with the local kids.

As I previously said, this neighbourhood is not as picturesque (60s and 70s buildings) and the streets tend to be much busier with cars. I see this area more like a new modern centre of Siena with shops catering for the local life, from the plumber to the bookstore and the herbalist.

Agriturismo

As much as I love Siena, I must also say that the Tuscan countryside is truly amazing and unique. I even ended up buying a small place in a medieval tiny village.

If you love nature, you enjoy early morning walks between wineries and you are more after a quiet stay then the agriturismo may be a good option for you.

The agriturismo is very similar to a farmhouse and completely different from a hotel. Essentially you will be hosted in either a farm or a winery where they will prepare the food only with local products, as fresh as it can get.

But don’t think it’s going to be a rural experience. I stayed in some boutique agriturismos that were just stunning, fully refurbished and redesigned from medieval buildings or even small castles.

There are actually a few of them around Siena that can be easily reached by car. Unfortunately, public transportation is not really an option. It would take time and probably many taxi calls.

Based on the agriturismo, you can also find possibilities to join cooking classes, wine tours or even hikes and horseback riding through the countryside.

It’s worth noting that you won’t be directly in Siena and you will always need a short drive to the city. Check out my guide to parking in Siena to avoid wasting time and money.

Monteriggione

I know you are already skipping this section. Why should you stay in a village 15 km from Siena? I give you an important reason, Monteriggione has been voted multiple times as one of the most romantic places to stay in Tuscany.

Monteriggione is a well-preserved castle town, that develops along 3 streets, mostly pedestrians, inside medieval walls. As soon as you pass the main gate of the town, you will feel transported back to the 17th century. So magical!

This town is a great destination by itself, a romantic village where you can spend some time with your partner just relaxing and enjoying the surrounding countryside. The Via Francigena, a famous country road for pedestrians and cyclists alike, is actually passing through the castle.

Moreover, you will be just 20 minutes from Siena which is not too bad. Just organise your parking before getting there to avoid wasting time in the city.

Discover more of Monteriggione by visiting the castle and walking along the walls (there is a small access fee for that). The view of the surrounding countryside is spectacular. Then check out the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the main square.

There is also a small museum, the Museo Monteriggione in Arme, which is great if you are interested in knowing more about the history of the village.

As you may expect, Monteriggione doesn’t offer any late drinking, but you can still find a couple of good restaurants, Il Pozzo and Ristorante Il Feudo, and a couple of cafes/patisserie, Bar dell’Orso and Antico Travaglio.

The biggest drawback of Monteriggione is obviously that you won’t be in Siena. You may still remember that when I was writing about the Historic Centre I said that you get to experience the best of it in the early mornings and late evenings when day trippers leave Siena.

I would also not consider this town as a good option if you rely only on public transportation. The bus from Siena will take you only to the main road bus stop and you would have to walk up to the castle. The dining options, although exceptional, are also fewer.

FAQ – Where to stay in Siena